Magnetic induction network device

ABSTRACT

A network device has a housing, a magnetic induction charger, a wireless data link and a processor. The housing has one or more sides. The induction charger is housed by the housing and is arranged to wirelessly charge a rechargeable battery of a portable electronic device. The electronic device is adjacent to or in contact with the housing. The wireless data link communicates with the portable electronic device. The processor communicates with the magnetic induction charger and the wireless data link. In addition, the processor recognizes the portable electronic device and associates a profile with the portable electronic device. The processor delivers content to an associated media device based on the profile.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to magnetic induction network devices.

BACKGROUND

Television is the prevalent global medium for entertainment andinformation despite the increase in use of smartphones and tabletsthroughout the past several years. A set-top box (STB) connects atelevision to an external source that provides a signal to thetelevision. The STB usually contains a tuner for tuning the receivedsignal and displaying the content (i.e., video, audio, internet webpages, interactive video gaming) on the television screen. The signal isusually received from a television service provider being, for example,one of a terrestrial (DTT), satellite, or cable provider. Traditionally,television service providers have offered limited user interaction withSTBs. The interaction between the user and the STB is usually limited toa conventional remote controller that allows the user to change channelsor select a program to watch from a program menu. Some STBs allow theuser to record one or more programs to watch at a later time.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a network device including ahousing, a magnetic induction charger, a wireless data link, and aprocessor. The housing has one or more sides. The housing supports theinduction charger, which is arranged to wirelessly charge a rechargeablebattery of a portable electronic device. The portable electronic deviceis adjacent to or in contact with the housing. The wireless data linkcommunicates with the portable electronic device. The processorcommunicates with the magnetic induction charger and the wireless datalink, in addition, the processor recognizes the portable electronicdevice and associates a profile (e.g., a user profile) with the portableelectronic device. The processor delivers content (e.g., relevant orpersonalized content) to an associated media device or devices (e.g.,display or speakers) based on the profile (or synched user profile(s)).

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing features. In some implementations, the profile of the portableelectronic device includes at least one of a user identifier, userpreferences, user settings, or user favorites.

The processor may retrieve updated profile information from the portableelectronic device and update the profile of the portable electronicdevice using the updated profile information. For example, the processormay receive profile information inputted into the portable electronicdevice by a user and then update an associated user profile storedremotely. Additionally, or alternatively, if the processor fails toretrieve an existing profile for the recognized portable electronicdevice, when associating a profile with the portable electronic device,the processor associates a default profile with the portable electronicdevice.

In some examples, the processor queries the portable electronic devicefor one or more media files stored in non-transitory memory of theportable electronic device. The processor then stores one or more mediafiles of the portable electronic device in other non-transitory memoryunassociated with the portable electronic device.

The processor may query an external networked storage device for a mediapurchase history associated with an owner of the portable electronicdevice. In some examples, the processor recognizes multiple portableelectronic devices that are being charged by the magnetic inductioncharger or in communication with the wireless data link. The processorassociates a profile with each recognized portable electronic device.For example, the processor may associate a default profile or‘historically recognized’ profile with each portable electronic devicecommunicating with or touching the surface of the magnetic inductioncharger. Additionally, the processor may deliver content to theassociated media device based on weighted parameters of the profiles ofall recognized portable electronic devices. The weighted parameters mayinclude, but not limited to, at least one of an age, a movie genre, amusic genre, favorite songs, favorite images, favorite videos, TV,movie, music or short-form video categorizations such as ‘Genre’,duration, favorites, age of users, Motion Picture Association of America(MPAA), star ratings, recommendations, preferred user interfacesettings, saved searches, consumption history, advertisementpreferences, and/or social networks. In some implementations, theprocessor executes a party mode when a threshold number of portableelectronic devices are charged by the magnetic induction charger or arein communication with the wireless data link. When in party mode, theprocessor delivers content to the media device(s) based on a time of dayand a media history associated with each portable electronic device or arecommended or random selection of media associated with each portableelectronic device.

In some implementations, the processor only recognizes and communicateswith the portable electronic device, when the portable electronic deviceis adjacent to or in contact with the housing. If the portableelectronic device is not in contact with the housing or not within athreshold distance, the processor may simply not be able to establishcommunication with the portable electronic device (e.g., hardwareconfiguration) or may choose not to establish communication with theportable electronic device (e.g., software configuration) and may issuea message to move the portable electronic device closer or in contactwith the housing.

Another aspect of the invention provides a communication method forcommunicating between a network device and a portable electronic devicehaving a rechargeable battery. The method includes detecting a portableelectronic device having a rechargeable battery and wirelessly chargingthe battery of the portable electronic device. Furthermore, the methodincludes establishing wireless data communications with the portableelectronic device and associating a profile with the portable electronicdevice. Finally, the method includes delivering content to an associatedmedia device based on the profile associated with the portableelectronic device.

In some examples, the profile of the portable electronic device includesat least one of a user identifier, user preferences, user settings, oruser favorites. The method may further include retrieving updatedprofile information from the portable electronic device and updating theprofile of the portable electronic device using the updated profileinformation. If unable to retrieve an existing profile for the portableelectronic device, the method may include associating a default profilewith the portable electronic device.

The method may include querying the portable electronic device for oneor more media files stored in non-transitory memory of the portableelectronic device and storing in other non-transitory memoryunassociated with the portable electronic device the one or more mediafiles of the portable electronic device. Additionally or alternatively,the method further includes querying an external networked storagedevice for a media purchase history associated with an owner of theportable electronic device.

In some examples, when wirelessly charging or wirelessly communicatingwith multiple portable electronic devices, the method includesdelivering content to the associated media devices based on weightedparameters of the profiles of all portable electronic devices. Theweighted parameters may include at least one of an age, a movie genre, amusic genre, favorite songs, favorite images, favorite videos, TV,movie, music or short-form video categorizations such as ‘Genre’,duration, favorites, age of users, Motion Picture Association of America(MPAA), star ratings, recommendations, preferred user interfacesettings, saved searches, consumption history, advertisementpreferences, and/or social networks.

A party mode includes delivering content to the media device based on atime of day and a media history associated with each portable electronicdevice or a recommended or random selection of media associated witheach portable electronic device (e.g., based on the recognized profilesof each portable electronic device). The method may include executing aparty mode when wirelessly charging or wirelessly communicating with athreshold number of portable electronic devices.

The method may include only detecting and communicating with theportable electronic device, when the portable electronic device iswithin a threshold distance.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system having an exemplary networkdevice.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of an exemplary network device.

FIGS. 2B and 2C are schematic views of a display showing a program guideretrieved from a network device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary network device and anexemplary receiver.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of the behavior of an exemplary networkdevice.

FIG. 4B is a schematic view of the communication between an exemplarynetwork device, a communication device, and a media device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the behavior of an exemplary network deviceas it checks for updated media files with other portable electronicdevices.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic views of Venn diagrams showing the partymode playlists.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an exemplary arrangement of operations fora method of communicating between a network device and a portableelectronic device having a rechargeable battery.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in some implementations, a system 10 ofdistributing television programs to subscribers 122 transmits signalsfrom a cable television service provider 110 to a user 122 (e.g., viacoaxial cables or fiber-optic cables). A receiver 300 (e.g., TV, DVR,Storage, STB, or Network box) receives the television signal to allowviewing of corresponding television programming. The user 122 mayoperate a remote control (e.g., a traditional remote control or anassociated mobile device-based application) to control the receiver 300.The receiver 300 may display a program guide 130 on a display device 123(e.g., television or projection screen). The program guide 130 mayinclude information relating to the name 132 a of a program 132 (e.g.,shows, sitcoms, movies, and music), the time of the show, and anoverview of the program 132. The user 122 may control what the receiver300 outputs to the television display 120 by selecting, via the programguide 130, what the user 122 wants to watch or listen to. Otherfeatures/operations that the user 122 may perform on the receiver 300include changing channels, browsing a program guide 130 (e.g., searchingfor content), selecting a program 132 from the program guide 130 towatch, or set a scheduled recording for a specific program 132.

In some implementations, the user 122 may also view the program guide130 using a portable electronic device 200, such as a tablet 200 a, asmartphone 200 b, or a personal computer 200 c (e.g., a portablecomputer, a wearable computer or a desktop computer). The user 122 mayhave similar program guide 130 search functionality on the portableelectronic device 200 as on the display device 123. Therefore, the user122 may browse through the program guide 130 on the portable electronicdevice 200 and search for specific programs 132 to record. Due to akeyboard 202 (e.g., non-touchscreen or touchscreen keyboard) associatedwith a portable electronic device 200, a user 122 may find it easier tosearch the program guide 130 using the portable electronic device 200.When the user 122 selects a program 132 to watch from the program guide130 on the portable electronic device 200, the user 122 may watch theprogram 132 on the display device 123 or on the portable electronicdevice 200. In some examples, the user 122 may start watching atelevision program 132 on the display device 123 and continue to watchthe television program 132 on another display such as a tablet 200 a,the smartphone 200 b, and/or a personal portable computer 200 c (e.g.,laptop).

In some examples, the receiver 300 is a network device connected toother devices through a network 12. A portable electronic device 200,such as a tablet 200 a, a smartphone 200 b, or a laptop 200 c, may beused as a secondary remote to control the network device 300 and theprograms 132 (e.g., shows, sitcoms, movies, and music channel) that aredisplayed on the display device 123. The use of the portable electronicdevice 200 significantly enhances the experience of the display device123 by providing the user 122 with multiple features, such as a fastersearch functionality 206 (e.g. through the program guide 130 or throughrecorded programs), enhanced content information, faster browsing,personalized advertising experiences, and better personal media upload.The enhanced features are due to the ease of use of the portableelectronic device 200, specifically the use of the keyboard 202associated with a portable electronic device 200. In addition, theportable electronic device 200 provides the user 122 with an enhancedexperience due to the interactive touch screen 204 of the tablet 200 a.For example, if a user 122 wants to search for a program 132 using aconventional television remote control, the user 122 has to go to a menuby pressing a button on the remote, then the user 122 uses the numberbuttons (each representing a number and in some cases letters) locatedon the remote control to select the letters that make up the name 132 aof the program 132. Such a task is time consuming and mundane. Theportable electronic device 200 facilitates the searching featuresavailable to the user 122, because the user 122 may type the name 132 aof the program 132 in a search box 208 instead of entering each letterthrough a number keypad.

The network 12 may include any type of network that allows sending andreceiving communication signals (e.g., as a wireless telecommunicationnetwork, a cellular telephone network, a time division multiple access(TDMA) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM), a third generation (3G) network,a fourth generation (4G) network, a satellite communications network,and other communication networks). The network may include one or moreof a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), and a PersonalArea Network (PAN). In some examples, the network includes a combinationof data networks and telecommunication networks. The distribution system10 includes both wireless and wired communications. The communicationbetween the portable electronic device 200 and the network device 300 isusually wireless and the communication between the display device 123and the network device 300 is usually wired.

Referring to FIG. 2, the network device 300 includes a housing 310. Thehousing 310 is constructed by a top portion 311, a bottom portion 312, afront portion 313, a back portion 314, a right portion 315, and a leftportion 316. The housing 310 protects the components (e.g., electricalcomponents) located within the network device 300. In some examples, thehousing 310 includes a power supply (not shown) for providing power tothe network device 300.

Many users 122 regularly use multiple portable electronic devices 200(e.g., tablet 200 a, smartphone 200 b, and/or personal computer 200 c)in tandem, each requiring a different cable for charging the batteriesof the portable electronic devices 200. In addition, each household mayhave multiple users 122, where each user 122 has multiple portableelectronic devices 200. Therefore, a user 122 may be overwhelmed withthe number of chargers and cable connections that need to be made whencharging all his portable electronic devices 200. The network device 300includes a magnetic induction charger 320 for universally chargingportable electronic devices 200 and eliminating the need for individualdocking stations and separate cords used for each portable electronicdevice 200. The magnetic induction charger 320 de-clutters a chargingarea by eliminating cables and saves a user 122 time, since the user 122does not have to manually connect the portable electronic device 200 toa charger. The magnetic induction charger 320 requires a user 122 toplace a portable electronic device 200 having a rechargeable battery 220near the network device 300 and the network device 300 may charge theportable electronic device 200. The magnetic induction charger 320housed by the housing 310 is arranged to wirelessly charge arechargeable battery 220 of a portable electronic device 200 adjacent toor in contact with the housing 310. In some examples, the magneticinduction charger 320 is disposed on one or more of the sides 310-316 ofthe housing 310 of the network device 300. The magnetic inductioncharger 320 uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between thenetwork device 300 (i.e., the charging station) and the portableelectronic device 200 being charged. In some examples, the magneticinduction charger 320 includes an induction coil 317 for creating analternating electromagnetic field within the network device 300. On thereceiving end, the charging portable electronic device 200 includes aninduction coil 317 which takes the power from the electromagnetic fieldand converts it into electrical current for charging the rechargeablebattery 220 of the portable electronic device 200. One or more of thesides 310-316 of the housing 310 of the network device 300 may emitcolored light (e.g., via a light emitter, color changing surfacematerial, etc.) to indicate when the portable electronic device 200 ischarging, has fully charged, and/or has synched personalized content.For example, the side surface 310-316 nearest or in contact with theportable electronic device 200 may emit/illuminate a lighted line aroundthe perimeter of the portable electronic device 200, where the color ofline indicates a status of the portable electronic device 200 (e.g.,charging, charged, synched, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 3, the network device 300 includes a wireless datalink 330 that allows for communication between the network device 300and the portable electronic devices 200 and/or between the multipleportable electronic devices 200 of a household. The network device 300also includes a processor 340 that communicates with the magneticinduction charger 320 and the wireless data link 330. The processor 340recognizes a portable electronic device 200 and associates a profile 352with the portable electronic device 200. For example, the processor mayreceive an identifier of the portable electronic device 200, query adata store of profiles 352, and retrieve the profile 352 for associationwith the portable electronic device 200. The processor 340 deliverscontent to an associated media device 120 based on the profile 352. Theprofile 352 of the portable electronic device 200 includes at least oneof a user identifier, user preferences, user settings, or userfavorites. The network device 300 allows users 122 to charge a portableelectronic device 200 that may be used to control the media device 120or any other portable electronic device 200 by placing the portableelectronic device 200 adjacent to or in contact with the housing 310 ofthe network device 300. In addition, the network device 300 communicateswith the portable electronic device 200 being charged and mayautomatically synchronize contents, functionality, or user interfacepreferences, or automatically update software based on the user's 122predetermined synchronization setting stored in the saved profile 352associated with the portable electronic device 200. The network device300 may also update software and content on portable electronic devices200 previously connected to the network device 300.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the network device 300 is turned on,the processor 340 checks for portable electronic devices 200 that areadjacent to or in contact with the housing 310. Adjacent may refer to aportable electronic device 200 within the same room of the networkdevice 300 or within the same house of the network device 300. The usermay also explicitly set parameters for proximity/distance. The portableelectronic device 200 may allow for one time (2-way) ‘permissions’ fordevices to accept/deny being in range (e.g., implementing a BlueToothprotocol) as a safeguard against malicious pairings.

Adjacent may be a threshold distance set based on hardware capabilities.If the processor 340 does not detect a portable electronic device 200adjacent to or in contact with the housing 310, the processor 340 keepssearching for a portable electronic device 200. However, if theprocessor 340 detects a portable electronic device 200 adjacent to or incontact with the housing 310, then the network device 300 will startcharging the detected portable electronic device 200, and then thenetwork device 300 keeps looking for other devices 200 that the networkdevice 300 may also charge.

Once charging of the portable electronic device 200 is initiated, theprocessor 340 tries to recognize if the portable electronic device 200has a saved profile 352 stored in a memory 350 of the network device300. If so, the processor 340 associates the saved profile 352 with theportable electronic device 200. If the portable electronic device 200 isnot recognized, the network device 300 associates a default profile 354to the portable electronic device 200. In some examples, the networkdevice 300 prompts the user 122 to create a personalized profile 352associated with the unrecognized portable electronic device 200 toimprove the content the network device 300 provides to the user 122. Ifthe user 122 accepts the personalized profile 352 that the networkdevice 300 has associated with the portable electronic device 200, thenetwork device 300 may ask the user 122 to access information and mediafiles 256 located on the portable electronic device 200. The networkdevice 300 may also ask for the user 122 to specify what media files 256to sync with other devices 200 or with the network device 300 when thenetwork device 300 detects the portable electronic device 200. The user122 may control the files, folder, stored programs, or any othercontent, stored on the memory 250 (e.g., non-transitory memory, flashmemory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), phase change memory (PCM),and/or disks) of the device, that he/she wants to share or synchronizewith other network devices 300 or other portable electronic devices 200.For example, the user 122 may have two or more portable electronicdevices 200 that may be synchronized when the user 122 places themadjacent to or in contact with the housing 310 of the network device300.

In some examples, the processor 340 retrieves updated profileinformation 252 from the portable electronic device 200. The processor340 updates the device profile 352 stored in a memory 350 (e.g.,non-transitory memory, flash memory, dynamic random access memory(DRAM), phase change memory (PCM), and/or disks) of the network device300 based on the updated profile information 252 retrieved from theportable electronic device 200. As discussed above, when the processor340 does not find a saved profile 352 in the memory 350, the processor340 may associate a default profile 254 with the portable electronicdevice 200. In addition, the processor 340 may fail to retrieve anexisting saved profile 352 saved in the memory 350 of the network device300 that is associated with the portable electronic device 200 due to acommunication error or any other error. In such situations, theprocessor 340 may associate a default profile 354 with the portableelectronic device 200.

Referring to FIG. 5, in some implementations, the processor 340 queriesthe portable electronic devices 200 for media files 256 (e.g., images,audio, and video stored on the device memory 250. The processor 340checks whether the media files 256 are also stored in the memory 352 ofthe network device 300. If the media files 256, 356 are stored in thememory 352 of the network device 300, the processor 340 checks whichversion of the media file 256, 356 is the latest version. If the mediafiles 256, 356 have the same version, the processor 340 carries on tocheck the next media file 256 stored on the portable electronic device200. If however one of the media files 256, 356 is a newer version, theprocessor 340 either stores the media file 256 to the memory 350 of thenetwork device 300, if the electronic device 200 has the latest versionof the media files 256, or the processor 340 sends a command to thedevice processor 240 indicating that a newer version of the media file356 is available for retrieval from the memory 350. The device processor240 may then store the media file 356 located on the memory 350 of thenetwork device 300 in the memory 250 of the portable electronic device200.

In some implementations, a user 122 has more than one portableelectronic device 200 and may purchase content, such as media files 256on one portable electronic device 200. When the portable electronicdevice 200 having the newly purchased media files 256 is either beingcharged and/or is adjacent to or in contact with the housing 310 of thenetwork device 300, the processor 340 queries the portable electronicdevice 200 or any other external networked storage device (e.g., networkstorage 14, or other storage devices) for a media purchase historyassociated with the user 122 who made the purchase on the portableelectronic device 200. The processor 340 may then transfer the purchasehistory along with the purchased media files 256 to other portableelectronic devices 200 or to the network device 300 while complying withcopyright laws and any digital rights management requirements. Forexample, the transfer may only occur between devices owned by the sameuser and the media file 256 cannot simultaneously be played on more thanone device. In other examples, the media file 256 is temporarily sharedand has a time-out provisioned with its playing.

In some examples, the user 122 may schedule a recording of a program 132via the network device 300. The network device 300 records the scheduledprogram 132 and stores it in the memory 350. When the network device 300detects a portable electronic device 200, the processor 340 of thenetwork device 300 may transfer the recorded program 132 to the detectedportable electronic device 200.

In some examples, multiple portable electronic devices 200 may becharged by the magnetic induction charger 320 and/or in communicationwith the wireless data link 330. The processor 340 may recognize thesemultiple portable electronic devices 200 and associate a profile 352(e.g., saved profile 352 when the device has been previously identifiedor a default profile 354 if the device has not been previouslyidentified) with each of the portable electronic devices 200 detected.The processor 340 considers the profile 352 of all the connectedportable electronic devices 200 and delivers content to the associatedmedia device 120 (e.g., television 123 or audio device 125) based onweighted parameters of the profiles 352 of all the recognized portableelectronic devices 200. The weighted parameters may include, in additionto the profile information, one or more of an age, a movie genre, amusic genre, favorite songs, favorite images, favorite videos, TV,movie, music or short-form video categorizations such as ‘Genre’,duration, favorites, age of users, Motion Picture Association of America(MPAA), star ratings, recommendations, preferred user interfacesettings, saved searches, consumption history, advertisementpreferences, and/or social networks. The processor 340 may execute aparty mode when a threshold number of portable electronic devices 200are being charged by the wireless magnetic charger 320 and/or incommunication with the wireless data link 330. The processor 340delivers content to the media device 120 based on a time of day and amedia history associated with each portable electronic device 200 or arandom selection of media associated with each portable electronicdevice 200. When the network device 300 is in party mode, the processor340 finds group recommendations based on all the recognized portableelectronic devices 200 adjacent to or in contact with the housing 310 ofthe network device 300. Referring to FIG. 6A, if the network device 300detects three portable electronic devices 200, each having a userprofile 352 a, 352 b, and 352 c, the processor 340 considers theweighted parameters and other information to determine the commonalitybetween the three profiles 352. The processor 340 prioritizes thecontent to be played based on the content having the most commonalitybetween the three profiles 352. The content having the first priority iscontent A, because it has parameters common between the three profiles352. The content having the second priority is content B because thecontent shares parameters with two out of the three profiles 352.Lastly, content C has the lowest priority because it has parameters thatare not shared amongst the profiles 352. FIG. 6B provides a similarconcept having four different profiles 352, with content D having theleast priority. Therefore, after determining the priority of thecontents associated with each portable electronic device 200, theprocessor 340 determines what content may be displayed by the displaydevice 123 that is of interest to all the users 122.

In some examples, the processor 340 may track the trends that occur whencertain portable electronic devices 200 are connected. For example, if ahousehold of four watches a specific program 132 or listens to aspecific genre of music every so often at a specific time, the networkdevice 300 learns such a trend and makes recommendations of similarprograms 132 or music that might be of interest to the members of thehousehold.

In some examples, the portable electronic device 200 receives voicecalls or video calls. The processor 340 may execute a phone mode thatallows the user 122 to answer the call (either voice call or video call)through the display device 123. The display device 123 may include amicrophone and a video camera for allowing the user 122 to video chatusing the bigger display device 123 rather than the smaller portableelectronic device 200 display.

Therefore, once a portable electronic device 200 is detected (e.g.,placed on the surface of the network device 300), the network device 300detects the presence of the user 122 in the vicinity of the networkdevice 300 and initiates charging of the rechargeable battery 220, andone or more of a software, content, advertisement, geo personalizationeither based on the preferences stored in the user profile or by a userrequest.

In some examples, a user 122 creates a music or a video playlist 258 onhis portable electronic device 200. The user 122 may then place hisportable electronic device 200 adjacent to or near the network device300, or anywhere adjacent to or in contact with the housing 310 of thenetwork device 300. The content of the created playlist may betransferred from one portable electronic device 200 to the other andsubsequently displayed on the media device 120. In some examples, theprocessor 340 selects specific attributes (e.g., genre) from theplaylist associated with the user 122 and stores such attributes as partof the profile 352 associated with the portable electronic device 200.The processor 340 considers the saved attributes when making suggestionof other media files 356 to be added to the playlist. In some examples,the user 122 may manually select what media files to be transferred tothe network device 300 instead of transferring the playlist in itsentirety.

A friend mode allows friends to share personal media files 256 (e.g.,songs, pictures, videos). The friend mode allows users 122 to storespecific media files 256 stored on their respective portable electronicdevices 200 in a shared folder 358 on the memory 350 of the networkdevice 300 (e.g., while complying with copyright laws and any digitalrights management requirements). A first user 122 may save a media fileon the shared folder 358. A second user 122 having a different portableelectronic device 200 may browse the shared folder 358 and download allor specific media files 356 stored in the shared folder 358. In someexamples, the second user 122 may select the media files 356 to downloadto his respective portable electronic device 200 by using his portableelectronic device 200 or by using the media device 120, which receives acommand from the user 122 to select which media files to download.

The network device 300 may also provide advertisements based on theportable electronic devices 200 detected. In some implementations, theprocessor 340 determines the location of the portable electronic device200 based on the geolocation of the portable electronic device 200. Inaddition, the processor 340 may retrieve locations that the user 122 hastraveled to during the day before connecting his portable electronicdevice 200 to the network device 300, and based on the locations providespecific advertisements to the user 122 while the user 122 is watching aprogram 132 or navigating through the program guide 130 on the displaydevice 123 or on the portable electronic device 200. The processor 340may consider the profile 352 of the detected portable electronic device200 and based on that profile 356 provides advertisements. For examples,if the user 122 of the portable electronic device 200 detected is asingle young professional, the network device 300 may provideadvertisements geared to young professionals. In some implementations,if the household has younger children, the network device 300 does notprovide advertisements that are inappropriate for children within aspecific time of the day. In some implementations, the network device300 determines the applications installed on the portable electronicdevices 200. Based on the type of applications downloaded on theportable electronic device 200, the network device 300 provides specificadvertisements to the media device 120.

In some examples, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) 230 chipassociated with the network device 300 may be placed on a portableelectronic device 200. The REID chip 230 is a wireless non-contact chipused for identification and tracking of objects. The RFID 230 usesradio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer identification data.The network device 300 may identify portable electronic devices 200 thathave an RFID chip 230 associated with them.

FIG. 7 provides an exemplary arrangement of operations for a method 700for communicating between a network device 300 (e.g., TV/DVR/STB/Storagebox) and a portable electronic device 200 having a rechargeable battery220. The method 700 includes detecting 702 the portable electronicdevice 200 having the rechargeable battery 220 and wirelessly charging704 the battery 220 of the portable electronic device 200. Furthermore,the method 700 includes establishing 706 wireless data communicationswith the portable electronic device 200 and associating 708 a profile352 with the portable electronic device 200. Finally, the method 700includes delivering 710 content to an associated media device (e.g.,display device 123 or audio device 125) based on the profile 352associated with the portable electronic device 200. The profile 352associated with the device 200 is stored in the memory 350 of thenetwork device 300.

In some examples, the profile 352 of the portable electronic device 200includes at least one of a user identifier, user preferences, usersettings, user favorites, or user consumption/purchase patterns. Themethod 700 may further include retrieving updated profile 252information from the portable electronic device 200 and updating theprofile 352 of the portable electronic device 200 stored on the memory350 of the network device 300 using the updated profile information 252from the portable electronic device 200. If unable to retrieve anexisting saved profile 352 from the memory 350 of the network device 300for the portable electronic device 200, the method 700 may includeassociating a default profile 354 (as previously discussed) with theportable electronic device 200.

The method 700 may include querying the portable electronic device 200for media files stored in the memory 250 of the portable electronicdevice 200 and storing in other non-transitory memory unassociated withthe portable electronic device (e.g., the network device or otherportable electronic devices) one or more media files 256 of the portableelectronic device 200. Additionally or alternatively, the method 700further includes querying an external networked storage device (e.g.,portable electronic device or storage found on the network 12) for amedia purchase history associated with a user 122 of the portableelectronic device 200.

In some examples, when wirelessly charging or wirelessly communicatingwith multiple portable electronic devices 200, the method 700 includesdelivering content to the associated media devices 120 based on weightedparameters of the profiles of all portable electronic devices 200. Theweighted parameters may include at least one of an age, a movie genre, amusic genre, favorite songs, favorite images, favorite videos, etc. Aparty mode includes delivering content to the media device 120 based ona time of day and a media history associated with each portableelectronic device 200 or a random selection of media associated witheach portable electronic device 200. The method 700 may includeexecuting a party mode when wirelessly charging or wirelesslycommunicating with a threshold number of portable electronic devices200. The processor 340 prioritizes the content to be displayed on themedia device 120 based on the discussion with reference to FIGS. 6A and6B. In some examples, the method 700 includes tracking trends that occurwhen specific portable electronic devices 200 are connected to thenetwork device 300 together. Based on the trends, the method 700includes displaying specific content on the display device 123.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here canbe realized in digital electronic and/or optical circuitry, integratedcircuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integratedcircuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinationsthereof. These various implementations can include implementation in oneor more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichmay be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium” refer to any computer program product,non-transitory computer readable medium, apparatus and/or device (e.g.,magnetic discs, optical disks, non-transitory memory, Programmable LogicDevices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to aprogrammable processor, including a machine-readable medium thatreceives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term“machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed in this specification can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including thestructures disclosed in this specification and their structuralequivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Moreover,subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as oneor more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computerprogram instructions encoded on a computer readable medium for executionby, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. Thecomputer readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, amachine-readable storage substrate, a non-transitory memory device, acomposition of matter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, ora combination of one or more of them. The terms “data processingapparatus”, “computing device” and “computing processor” encompass allapparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by wayof example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processorsor computers. The apparatus can include, in addition to hardware, codethat creates an execution environment for the computer program inquestion, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocolstack, a database management system, an operating system, or acombination of one or more of them. A propagated signal is anartificially generated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical,optical, or electromagnetic signal that is generated to encodeinformation for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus.

A computer program (also known as an application, program, software,software application, script, or code) can be written in any form ofprogramming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, andit can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or asa module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in acomputing environment. A computer program does not necessarilycorrespond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in aportion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or morescripts stored in a markup language document), in a single filededicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files(e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portionsof code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on onecomputer or on multiple computers that are located at one site ordistributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communicationnetwork.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computerneed not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded inanother device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a mobile audio player, a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver, to name just a few. Computer readable media suitable forstoring computer program instructions and data include all forms ofnon-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flashmemory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removabledisks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. Theprocessor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in,special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects of thedisclosure can be implemented on a computing device having a displaydevice, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display)monitor, or touch screen for displaying information to the user andoptionally a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or atrackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Otherkinds of devices can be used to provide interaction with a user as well;for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensoryfeedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback;and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic,speech, or tactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with auser by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device thatis used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browseron a user's client device in response to requests received from the webbrowser.

One or more aspects of the disclosure can be implemented in a computingsystem that includes a backend component, e.g., as a data server, orthat includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, orthat includes a frontend component, e.g., a client computer having agraphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user caninteract with an implementation of the subject matter described in thisspecification, or any combination of one or more such backend,middleware, or frontend components. The components of the system can beinterconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication,e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networksinclude a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), aninter-network (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks e.g., adhoc peer-to-peer networks).

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In someimplementations, a server transmits data (e.g., an HTML page) to aclient device (e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receivinguser input from a user interacting with the client device). Datagenerated at the client device (e.g., a result of the user interaction)can be received from the client device at the server.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what maybe claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific toparticular implementations of the disclosure. Certain features that aredescribed in this specification in the context of separateimplementations can also be implemented in combination in a singleimplementation. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single implementation can also be implemented in multipleimplementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multi-tasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the embodiments described above should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should beunderstood that the described program components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims. Forexample, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in adifferent order and still achieve desirable results.

What is claimed is:
 1. A network device comprising: a housing having oneor more sides; a magnetic induction charger supported by the housing andarranged to wirelessly charge a rechargeable battery of a portableelectronic device adjacent to or in contact with the housing; a wirelessdata link communicating with the portable electronic device; and aprocessor in communication with the magnetic induction charger and thewireless data link, the processor configured to: recognize multipleportable electronic devices for charging by the magnetic inductioncharger or for communication with the wireless data link; associate aprofile with each portable electronic device; deliver content to anassociated media device based on at least one profile; and when a numberof recognized portable electronic devices satisfies a threshold, executea party mode that delivers content to the media device based on a timeof day and a media history associated with each portable electronicdevice or a random selection of media associated with each portableelectronic device.
 2. The network device of claim 1, wherein the profileof each corresponding portable electronic device comprises at least oneof a user identifier, user preferences, user settings, or userfavorites.
 3. The network device of claim 1, wherein the processor:retrieves updated profile information from each corresponding portableelectronic device; and updates the profile of the corresponding portableelectronic device using the corresponding updated profile information.4. The network device of claim 1, wherein when the processor fails toretrieve an existing profile for any recognized portable electronicdevice, when associating the profile with the corresponding portableelectronic device, the processor is configured to associate a defaultprofile with the corresponding portable electronic device.
 5. Thenetwork device of claim 1, wherein the processor: queries the portableelectronic devices for one or more media files stored in non-transitorymemory of the portable electronic devices; and stores the one or moremedia files of the portable electronic devices in other non-transitorymemory unassociated with the portable electronic devices.
 6. The networkdevice of claim 1, wherein the processor queries an external networkedstorage device for a media purchase history associated with an owner ofat least one portable electronic device.
 7. The network device of claim1, wherein the processor is further configured to deliver the content tothe associated media device based on weighted parameters of the profilesof the recognized portable electronic devices.
 8. The network device ofclaim 7, wherein the weighted parameters comprise at least one of anage, a movie genre, a music genre, favorite songs, favorite images, orfavorite videos.
 9. The network device of claim 1, wherein the processoris configured to only recognize and communicate with the portableelectronic devices, when the portable electronic devices are adjacent toor in contact with the housing.
 10. A communication method comprising:detecting, by data processing hardware, multiple portable electronicdevices, at least one portable electronic device having a rechargeablebattery; wirelessly charging, by an induction charger in communicationwith the data processing hardware, the battery of the at least oneportable electronic device; establishing, by a wireless data linkwireless in communication with the data processing hardware, datacommunications with the detected portable electronic devices;associating, by the data processing hardware, a profile with eachportable electronic device; delivering, by the data processing hardware,content to an associated media device based on the profile associatedwith one or more corresponding portable electronic devices; and when anumber of detected portable electronic devices satisfies a threshold,executing, by the data processing hardware, a party mode that deliverscontent to the media device based on a time of day and a media historyassociated with each portable electronic device or a random selection ofmedia associated with each portable electronic device.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the profile of each corresponding device comprises atleast one of a user identifier, user preferences, user settings, or userfavorites.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: retrievingupdated profile information from each corresponding portable electronicdevice; and updating the profile of the corresponding portableelectronic device using the corresponding updated profile information.13. The method of claim 10, further comprising, when unable to retrievean existing profile for any portable electronic device, associating, bythe data processing hardware, a default profile with the correspondingportable electronic device.
 14. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: querying the portable electronic devices for one or moremedia files stored in non-transitory memory of the portable electronicdevices; and storing in other non-transitory memory unassociated withthe portable electronic device the one or more media files of theportable electronic devices.
 15. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising querying, by the data processing hardware, an externalnetworked storage device for a media purchase history associated with anowner of at least one portable electronic device.
 16. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising, when wirelessly charging or wirelesslycommunicating with multiple portable electronic devices, deliveringcontent to the media device based on weighted parameters of the profilesof the portable electronic devices.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthe weighted parameters comprise at least one of an age, a movie genre,a music genre, favorite songs, favorite images, or favorite videos. 18.The method of claim 10, further comprising, when wirelessly charging orwirelessly communicating with multiple portable electronic devices,sharing media files between the portable electronic devices.
 19. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising only detecting and communicatingwith any portable electronic device, when the portable electronic deviceis within a threshold distance.